Story by Darl DeVault, Contributing Editor

Bonnie Wells, 66, has made it her mission to help Edmond area adults with developmental disabilities become more independent as executive director of Edmond’s EARC Inc. (Employment and Residential Centers) for the last 18 years. One of the highlights of her working in the field since 1978 has been applying energy to innovation. She has done this during the nonprofit’s more than 50-year local mission, helping shift clients from State institutions to home settings.
Wells deflected inquiries about her role in building up EARC to serve 56 clients over the years. She wanted to discuss a burgeoning problem she and others in leadership face in providing clients a better quality of life through vocational and residential services.
“The most important story in our nonprofit sector serving developmentally disabled and the senior services world is how the COVID 19 pandemic has caused severe labor shortages,” Wells said. “All of our managers have been filling multiple roles and working ridiculous hours due to this problem.” (story continues below)

She explained how worn out and depressed many of her fellow service providers have been since absorbing the pandemic’s additional stresses. “Even though we are all career caregivers, who love what we do and who we serve, we wonder how long we can continue to endure,” Wells said.
Because she and many other nonprofit leaders have served people with disabilities for the past 40 years, Wells makes what she sees as an appropriate statement: “The government needs to look forward and work on massive educational incentives to get good people to go into healthcare. This is especially important at the direct nursing care level and administrative positions. Otherwise, at the current rate of burnout in caregiving, not enough staff with the right skills will be there ready to help seniors in their own homes or other settings.”
This effort to provide the best support by supplying appropriate help and housing reflects a tradition begun in 1982 when EARC opened the first of two six-bed group homes in north Edmond. After they opened the second similar home in 1985 on the south side of Edmond designed to provide training in areas of independent living skills, they expanded their mission.
In 1989, they built The Nova Centre in Edmond, a 16-bed, long-term care facility for residents with more severe disabilities with specialized nursing provided. Clients furnish and decorate their space to suit their own style to make them feel more at home. These clients share living areas for social interaction and family-style dining.
EARC Inc.’s non-profit mission is to provide clients with affordable quality housing in the Edmond Community. This instills a sense of pride in the individuals with intellectual disabilities and certain persons with related conditions who moved from closed Oklahoma public institutions to private settings.
The EARC purchased four private three-bedroom residences between 2012 and 2019. The agency operates another to serve 15 resident clients in a Daily Living Support program.
“A good example of this is when we bought and furnished a home for three men moving from the closing Northern Oklahoma Resource Center in Enid in 2013,” Wells said in an interview. When the Southern Resource Center in Pauls Valley closed in 2014, 219 residents needed to transition from the two State-operated facilities.
Wells said this was a significant change and move for anyone who has lived in the same setting for more than 30 years, where their only experience in the community was during visits to their parents’ or siblings’ homes.
EARC wanted to expand the number of its DLS homes, but quality affordable housing in Edmond to rent for its clients was challenging to find.
Organizers select these homes because of their spacious three bedrooms and open living areas, although sometimes they need to be architecturally modified to make them handicapped accessible. The Oklahoma State Developmental Disabilities Services Division provides those materials and skills for the architectural modifications.
The rest of the 52 adults receiving residential service occupy their own apartments or family members’ homes with EARC training and paid staff, who are sometimes family members. They all receive needed care, from usually 20 hours per week up to 24-hours of care per day.
Wells says the agency is grateful to Edmond citizens for their generosity as donations from the community to EARC thrift stores create job opportunities for their clients. They employ 22 clients working for the three thrift stores as cashiers, truck driver assistants, janitorial workers, or those processing and hanging clothes.
“We have created many income-producing jobs in our thrift stores with the processing operations we undertake to prepare the donated items for resale,” Wells said recently. “Through these opportunities, many of our clients earn wages significant enough to be taxpayers and reduce their dependence on taxpayer funding.”
These clients are employed alongside workers without disabilities after receiving on-the-job training from an EARC job coach.
Wells said EARC is proud of a core group of about a dozen dedicated community volunteers who help sort, clean and price the thrift stores’ donations. The stores are at 100 E. 3rd and Litter in Edmond, a larger Edmond store at 92 E. 15th St and in Guthrie, at 1408 E Oklahoma Ave.
To volunteer or donate to help area adults with developmental disabilities in this United Way community partner nonprofit, visit the EARC website at www.earcinc.org.

INTEGRIS Health is encouraging Oklahoma lawmakers to support the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act, so that hospital at home programs can continue to exist.
The Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) waiver program was implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive acute-level health care services in their home environment during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). The waiver program has allowed hospitals and health systems across the country to meet increased capacity demands during the pandemic, while providing safe, high-quality care in patients’ homes where they can be supported by their friends and family. To date, more than 200 hospitals and health systems in 34 states have received the waiver – including INTEGRIS Health.
The INTEGRIS Health @ Home program officially launched Jan. 31, and recently celebrated the discharge of its 100th patient. Forty-six-year-old Rachael Martin had been in and out of the hospital multiple times due to congestive heart failure and respiratory issues. She was thrilled to learn there was an alternative option to the traditional brick and mortar hospital. “The hospital at home program is so much more convenient and comfortable,” says Martin. “There’s no place like home… and that’s truly where every patient would prefer to be if given the choice.”
INTEGRIS Health @ Home provides hospital-level care to patients in the comfort and convenience of their own homes. Patients receive a remote patient monitoring kit and other clinical equipment as needed for their particular diagnoses. Standard equipment includes a blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter, cellular-enabled digital tablet and a digital scale. Other devices can be added based on the patient’s needs. All the devices connect to a tablet through Bluetooth and transmit vital signs to a remote monitoring command center. The command center, staffed by INTEGRIS Health physicians and nurses, monitors patients 24/7 and responds immediately to a patient’s medical needs via video or telephone. Daily in-home visits by community paramedics, nurses, nurse practitioners and other health care professionals are also part of the treatment plan. IV therapies, oxygen treatments, lab tests, mobile imaging like x-rays and ultrasound are all performed in the home. Other services provided include skilled nursing, medications, infusions, behavioral health, and rehabilitation.
At this time, access to this care model is limited to patients with Medicare, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage health plans who accept the CMS waiver. Martin was only able to qualify for this option since SoonerCare agreed to accept the CMS waiver. “I immediately started feeling better as soon as I got home,” Martin declares. “I wish this program was available to everyone. I think countless Oklahomans could benefit from it.”
The problem facing current and future hospital at home patients is that the waiver flexibilities that enable this model of care are tied to the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), which is slated to run through mid-July 2022. While it may be extended further, the PHE can only be extended in 90-day increments. “Patients and their health care providers need greater certainty for this important care delivery option,” says INTEGRIS Health Hospital @ Home System Director Lisa Rother. “The waiver program has demonstrated positive outcomes, experiences and potential cost savings, reinforcing the need for broader adoption. ”
The Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act (S.3792/H.R. 7053) would ensure that patients and providers have access to these services for two years beyond the duration of the PHE. This bipartisan bill would also require that within one year of enactment, CMS issue regulations establishing health and safety requirements for AHCAH Programs.
“By extending the waiver program, Congress will sustain the existing momentum and investment in the program,” says Tom Cassidy, the director of government affairs at INTEGRIS Health. “It will also allow for additional experience and data collection that can inform the potential of a longer-term payment model for these services in the Medicare and Medicaid program. Without such an extension, programs like INTEGRIS Health Hospital @ Home will no longer be available for patients with Medicare and Medicaid health plans.” Click here to see a video explanation from Tom Cassidy.

Dr. Randy Grellner, a candidate for the U.S. Senate representing Oklahoma, has been approved to serve on the State Board of Health by the Oklahoma Senate.
“It is truly an honor to be nominated and confirmed to serve in such an important position that affects the lives of every Oklahoman,” Grellner said. “As a doctor, I care deeply about the health of every person. Being a part of this board gives me the opportunity to ensure Oklahomans get the best health advice and care we can offer on disease and injury prevention and in keeping the people of our state healthy and strong.”
The mission of the board is to protect and promote health, to prevent disease and injury, and to cultivate conditions by which Oklahomans can be healthy. The nine-member Board is appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation. Board members are selected based on a strict criterion which includes leadership, integrity, service, a commitment to public health, and accountability based on sound evidence and responsible research.
In all, very few physicians get chosen to serve in such a high-level and responsible capacity, and those selected are considered the top doctors and health professionals in the state. Those selected to serve are more than proven professionals in their fields but are those who are shown to have the highest moral and ethical standards and who show a true compassion for the health of the people of Oklahoma.
“I am always happy and prepared to serve the people and the communities of this great state,” Grellner said. “I will serve to protect us in the realms of health and will serve to protect us and our values in Washington against the establishment and the corrupt professional politicians as a member of the U.S. Senate.” For more information visit: www.drgrellnerussenate.com
Dr. Grellner is a candidate for U.S. Senate from Oklahoma. Additional information can be found at www.drgrellnerussenate.com.

Join the Oklahoma Insurance Department for the Summer Senior Fraud Live Events This Summer

In conjunction with the first national Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s (OID) Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) is inviting Medicare beneficiaries to the Summer Senior Fraud Live Events on June 23 and July 14. OID has partnered with MAP, the Oklahoma Social Security Administration, the Oklahoma Department of Securities, the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, AARP Oklahoma and the National Insurance Crime Bureau to educate and empower Oklahomans in the fight against fraud targeting senior citizens.
“We’re excited to bring back these in-person events and continue to work with our partners to help Oklahomans protect themselves from fraud,” Director of the MAP division Ray Walker said. “Educational events like this will help individuals stay safe and protect the Medicare program for generations to come.”
The Summer Senior Fraud Live Events, funded in part by the SMP grant through the Administration for Community Living, will be held at the OID’s Oklahoma City office. These in-person events will consist of two one-day sessions led by speakers with diverse areas of expertise such as state agency directors, Medicare professionals and fraud prevention professionals. The topics include Medicare and healthcare fraud, contractor fraud, cyber scams, investment fraud and securities fraud. These events are free for senior adults and include breakfast. Registration is required because of limited capacity. To register, visit oid.ok.gov/summerseniorfraud/.
The Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, held June 5-11, kicks off on June 5, or “6-5,” because most people become eligible for Medicare when they turn 65 years old. Learn more about Medicare Fraud Prevention Week at www.smpresource.org
If you have questions about other insurance issues, please contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 1-800-522-0071 or visit our website at www.oid.ok.gov.

Although extremely rare, adverse events have occurred after COVID-19 vaccinations, and people affected have exercised their rights to seek compensation. However, the U.S. government program that considers COVID-19 vaccine injury claims lacks accountability, transparency and cost-effectiveness, according to a recently published study led by a researcher in the Hudson College of Public Health at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
The study, published in the current issue of the Journal of Law and the Biosciences, was led by Junying Zhao, Ph.D., Ph.D., an assistant professor of health administration and policy at the Hudson College of Public Health. The study provides the first-ever economic examination of the government’s Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), whose design is rife with unintended consequences, Zhao said.
The CICP has its roots in the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act, which was enacted by Congress in 2005. The PREP Act authorizes the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue a declaration in response to a public health emergency like COVID-19. As part of the declaration, companies that manufacture and distribute vaccines, as well as medical professionals and others who administer them, are granted immunity from tort liability claims — essentially, they cannot be sued in state or federal courts for any injury or death.
The PREP Act rightfully eliminates liability concerns for the large number of people quickly responding to a public health crisis like COVID-19, Zhao said. But the U.S. government still must provide a mechanism to compensate individuals and families when the evidence shows a person was harmed or died as a result of receiving the vaccine. The CICP was created to address injury claims related to public health emergencies.
“My expertise is applying economics to the intersection of medicine and law,” Zhao said. “A particular branch of law relevant to healthcare is tort law. When COVID-19 vaccinations became available, I became interested in how someone would seek justice if they were injured, or how their families would be compensated if a family member died. Although it has been very rare — only three adverse events reported per one million people in our study — we still need a fair program for people to seek compensation.”
Zhao’s discovery of the inadequacies within the CICP came after comparing it to the government’s decades-old program that responds to vaccine injury claims concerning traditional vaccines against the measles, seasonal flu and others that are administered routinely, not in response to an emergency like COVID-19. Called the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), it is located within the judicial branch of the federal government and operates in a typical court fashion in which attorneys for both the plaintiff (the person seeking compensation) and defendant (HHS) present evidence to a judge who specializes in vaccine injury cases.
In contrast, the CICP is located within the administrative branch, specifically HHS. Medical experts working for HHS make decisions for vaccine injury claims rather than each side making its case before a judge.
“In the CICP program, HHS serves as both the defendant and the judge,” Zhao said. “There is no third party to make sure both sides are heard. The design of the program incentivizes HHS to reject claims in order to reduce budget expenses.”
That assertion is reflected in the compensation amounts awarded by CICP as compared to the non-emergency VICP. In her study, Zhao found that the average compensation per adjudicated claim from the VICP is $243,129, while the average compensation from the CICP is $45,697. That translates to about one-fifth the amount of compensation for a COVID-19-related vaccine injury compared to the amount awarded for injuries caused by non-emergency vaccines.
“If someone has a mild adverse event, $45,000 may be sufficient,” Zhao said, “but what if a family’s primary breadwinner is temporarily or permanently disabled, or dies? In that case, $45,000 is not nearly enough to support a family in a lifetime, nor is it the worth of life.”
Zhao also found discrepancies in the administrative costs between the CICP and VICP. Administrative costs in the VICP are $24,000 per claim, money that pays judges, attorneys and medical experts. In contrast, the administrative cost per claim in the CICP is $40,000, which only pays medical experts within HHS.
The study highlighted another potential barrier for people seeking compensation for a COVID-19 vaccine injury. If a person’s claim is denied by the VICP, he or she can file an appeal and the case is presented again before a judge. However, in the CICP, a person can ask for the claim to be reconsidered, but it is reviewed by a similar group of medical professionals with no transparency about their identity or credentials.
To conduct the study, Zhao took a deep dive into information from the White House budget and the Department of Treasury. Her findings are especially relevant given that the CICP and VICP fulfill the same role, yet have such different structures and spending outcomes. Since the CICP began with the PREP Act in 2005, it has experienced only occasional public health emergencies, such as the H1N1 influenza outbreak in 2009 and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The VICP, in contrast, has been operating continuously since 1986 with lower administrative costs and higher compensation payouts.
In the publication, Zhao makes several policy recommendations that would improve the compensation process for future public health emergencies. They include merging the CICP and VICP and locating the single program in the federal claims court, which is the VICP’s current home. Alternatively, the publication recommends that Congress consider incremental changes, such as judicial review of the CICP, increased transparency, financial and performance audits, and more cost-effective use of taxpayer money.
The publication produced by the study was rigorously peer-reviewed, Zhao said, and fills a gap of knowledge about the compensation process during public health emergencies. The PREP Act is essential for a rapid response to crises like COVID-19, Zhao said, and vaccine adverse events continue to be exceedingly low in proportion to the number of vaccines administered. But Americans deserve a fair and transparent opportunity to seek compensation when they feel they have been harmed, she said.
“Vaccines are incredibly important for public health, but the design of the federal CICP represents a conflict of interest and lacks checks and balances,” she said. “From a public health and public policy perspective, the program needs to be improved so that it more effectively reduces vaccine hesitancy by serving as a warranty for vaccine safety.”
The publication can be found at https://academic.oup.com/jlb/article/9/1/lsac008/6555422. Zhao’s team included several faculty researchers from the Department of Economics at the University of Oklahoma’s Norman campus: Firat Demir, Ph.D., Pallab K. Ghosh, Ph.D., and Myongjin Kim, Ph.D.; and Austin Earley, graduate student researcher in the Hudson College of Public Health at the OU Health Sciences Center.

by Greg Schwem

I have a request, no, a plea, to cellphone manufacturers and software developers obsessed with phone memory.
Please stop.
You are the primary cause of an annoying disease I refer to as “scrolliosis.”
Those who suffer from it, and, in turn, cause those around them to suffer even more, are serial scrollers. In layman’s terms, they are obsessed with showing everyone the photo contents of their phones, beginning every sentence with, “Check this out!”
A scrolliosis victim could be your best friend, your relative or even your spouse; although, if my wife was constantly thrusting her phone in my face, I would put an immediate stop to it. But if it’s anyone else, I am forced to politely wait while their finger frantically moves vertically as they search for that photo or video clip that, according to them, I “just gotta see.”
What I really want to see their finger doing is repeatedly pushing the delete key until the only image left on their phones is the one on their home screen, covered in icons so I won’t have to look at that either.
I am not saying my phone is empty of memories; quite the contrary. My library shows I currently have 2,520 photos and (gulp) 1,362 videos vying for space with apps I actually use on a daily basis. About once a month, I attempt a phone cleanse, although it usually results in me deleting about one percent of my phone’s contents. Hey, you never know when somebody might want to see a selfie of me outside a Ketchikan, Alaska, salmon store. It could happen, right?
No, it couldn’t.
Think about it: Suppose I’m having a conversation with somebody about Alaska. That person expresses interest in visiting. Do I whip out my phone and say, “Check this out. Here’s ME in Alaska”? Followed by, “And here’s 40 more pictures of me in Alaska. And, wait a minute while I find it; wait, wait, hang on, it’s here somewhere…yes, here’s a video of a bear in Alaska!”
Somehow, I doubt the response would be, “Well, that’s all the evidence I need. I’m calling the airline today!”
When my daughters were of high school age, my wife and I frequently attended “pre dance” parties. Prior to homecoming or senior prom, a willing parent opened their home to about 30 couples, purely for the chance to take photos.
These get-togethers often lasted longer than the dances themselves; the event did not end until every ball gown and tuxedo-clad individual had taken pictures with every other attendee, in every conceivable combination. Yes, Chloe and Haley took a picture together but they didn’t take one with Samantha. Or Madeline. And did Madeline get one with Haley and Chloe, but not Samantha? And look who just showed up? Gabby!
This photo extravaganza continued until all the couples were satisfied they had, indeed, taken the appropriate amount of photos. Then, a late-arriving couple entered the home and the process started all over again. I could only imagine the scene on the Monday following the dance when Chloe met Madeline, Haley and Gabby in the school cafeteria and said, “You HAVE to see this video I took of us. Wait, wait…I know you have to get to class…here it is! No, wait, that’s me with Lizzie. Hold on…”
Twice a year, my town offers a shredding event, where residents are invited to, free of charge, destroy documents they no longer need. I suggest a similar event for phone contents. Keep five of the 367 photos you took of your Disney World vacation, transfer the rest to a thumb drive, and toss it into a machine full of sharp blades. You still have evidence on your phone that, yes, you visited Disney World and, yes, it was magical. But nobody will be forced to feign interest while you locate that amazing photo.
You are now cured of scrolliosis. That didn’t hurt a bit, did it?
(Greg Schwem is a corporate stand-up comedian and author of two books: “Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a Low-Tech Dad” and the recently released “The Road To Success Goes Through the Salad Bar: A Pile of BS From a Corporate Comedian,” available at Amazon.com. Visit Greg on the web at www.gregschwem.com.
You’ve enjoyed reading, and laughing at, Greg Schwem’s monthly humor columns in Senior Living News. But did you know Greg is also a nationally touring stand-up comedian? And he loves to make audiences laugh about the joys, and frustrations, of growing older. Watch the clip and, if you’d like Greg to perform at your senior center or senior event, contact him through his website at www.gregschwem.com)

Mom jeans may be back in style this season, but mom genes never go out of fashion, say experts at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.
In addition to the half-and-half mix of each parent’s DNA in the nucleus of our cells, genetic material is found in mitochondria, the part of the cell responsible for producing energy.
“These mitochondria are passed to the child from the egg, so they are always inherited from the mother,” said OMRF genetics researcher Courtney Montgomery, Ph.D.
Mitochondrial DNA is small but mighty. It contains about 16,500 base pairs, compared to the roughly three billion in the nucleus, according to the National Human Genome Research Institute.
“This inheritance from our mothers plays a big role in our bodies running smoothly,” Montgomery said. “It controls the mitochondria and helps regulate the metabolism.”
Plus, these mom genes are totally vintage – because they never merge with DNA from another parent, they can be a reliable source of information on population genetics and migration going back thousands of years, Montgomery said.
The small portion of DNA in the mitochondria is “like a satellite facility” of genetic material in the cell, said OMRF scientist Bill Freeman, Ph.D., who studies the impact of the genome on aging.
Mitochondrial DNA makes up for its size through numbers. While each cell has only one copy of the primary genome in the nucleus, Freeman said, the same cell may contain hundreds of mitochondria with thousands of copies of its genome.
These many copies help maintain function when risk factors like age and diet cause damage, said Montgomery. Mom genes can get tattered over time, and they need proper care.
As the “powerhouse of the cell,” the mitochondria are responsible for many cell functions. Its DNA taking damage can be a “critical factor in the development of diseases it is associated with,” Montgomery said.
“Proper mitochondrial function plays a part in everything from aging to neurodegenerative disease and diabetes to cancer,” Freeman said.
This Mother’s Day, appreciate mom by protecting her hand-me-downs, said Montgomery. “Get plenty of sleep, exercise, eat well, and avoid smoking — your mom genes will continue looking their best.”

Photography and Text by Terry “Travels with Terry” Zinn [email protected]

When you think of Washington DC in the spring, you might think of the Jefferson Memorial in Cherry Blossom splendor, but D.C. has so much more to offer, and that’s the problem.
Over the years I have discovered that some cities are just too large, diverse, and ever changing, to be experienced fully in just one visit. I find this true about our Nation’s Capitol, Washington D.C. That’s why I find it to be an “installment” city: one that needs to be visited over and over again, over a number of years (or decades in my experience.)
Creating a reasonable itinerary for D.C., and knowing your physical capabilities is the key. In my youth I walked and walked and walked to near exhaustion, to see some of the monuments, memorials and museums. For this brief two day trip I took it easy, knowing that in most likelihood that all would be there for another visit on down the line.
I used inexpensive taxis to go most places. I could not believe how accessible they were.
My home base was in the Beacon Hotel and Corporate Quarters, up the hill from the White House by several blocks. It was a comfortable hotel, with a doorman for taxis, offering spacious rooms, kitchenette and full size bath. While I would not try to visit their unfriendly dining establishment again, I would consider the hotel for my next installment. They do offer a rooftop bar on some nights. Go early before the music starts.
Months in advance I contacted both my Congressional representatives to see about getting a White House tour. After a prolonged attempt it did happen, and I was put on a list with a group of strangers, to this day I have not met. I showed up a little earlier than my appointed time, and went through 2 check lists before going through security. I was told on the website, no cameras, although cell phones with cameras were allowed (go figure that logic), no pencils, no pens, no back packs, no water, no nothing, or it would be taken away. Strange again, but the price you pay. The self guided tour, following a pre determined path, was reminiscent of a tour decades ago. In reflection it is fun to see the rooms and hallways on TV and know their juxtaposition to each other and such, because you were there. I’m ashamed to say, I did not get a feeling of awe, but seeing the portraits of JFK and Jacqueline was heart warming. A tour of the Capitol Building is much easier to get and very informative.
I can also recommend visiting the National Gallery, The Spy Museum and its adjacent restaurant, Zola. All three are worth a lengthy visit. Dining at Zola is definitely on my list for my next installment visit to D.C.
Other fun food and beverages were enjoyed at the iconic Old Ebbitt Grill, the Round Robin Bar at the Willard Intercontinental, and the roof top bar and dining atop the W Hotel, where extra ordinary sights can be had of the White House, Washington’s Monument, Jefferson Memorial and the Lee Mansion in Arlington The W can be a bit snooty, as they reserve several roof top bar tables for VIP’s, which are seldom used early in the evening. So as you wait for the elevator behind the velvet rope, just profess to the doorman you want to stand at the bar. It’s worth the effort.
I longed to see the National Cathedral and took a taxi there and back. Getting back was the challenge. I saw the edifice and took a Gargoyle tour, which I can not recommend.
One is shown slides of the exterior, and then taken out front on the grounds to try and see again, what you saw in slide format. My souvenir book of Gargoyles sold in the basement gift shop was worth its money; the tour was not. A quick trip to the architecturally pleasing National Museum of the American Indian was accomplished, along with a light lunch, and my two days were completed.
As these days much is changing and challenging, and while this was my experience, it is always best to explore and investigate your Installment on your own before a trip.
One of the best compliments of any travel adventure or meal is answering “Yes” to the question, “Would you have it again?” And “Yes,” Washington D.C. is already on my list for future city installments.
When you go or before check out:
Zola Dining: www.spymuseum.org/dining
Beacon Hotel: http://www.capitalhotelswdc.com/
The Spy Museum : www.spymuseum.org/
The National Cathedral: www.nationalcathedral.org
Washington D.C. info: http://washington.org

Mr. Terry Zinn – Travel Editor
Past President: International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
3110 N.W. 15 Street – Oklahoma City, OK 73107
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www.martinitravels.com

Festival from Mozart to Chickasaw composer Jerod Tate

Guest pianist Peter Miyamoto joins current and returning Brightmusic musicians to take a turn at different musical combinations through four concerts June 10, 12, 13, and 14 at our pre-pandemic venue: St. Paul’s Cathedral in downtown Oklahoma City.
A Norman native, Jerod Tate generously offered his music to be performed at no charge during the pandemic. Co-artistic director Amy I-Lin Cheng says, “We have been wanting to program something by Jerod for a long time.
Many of the festival’s composers drew on their ethnic heritage for inspiration, from Polish Jewish composer Mieczyslaw (Moishe) Weinberg to Albéric Magnard of France, who died defending his house from German soldiers in World War I.
Concert 1 – Friday, June 10 7:30 pm – Amy Beach, Summer Dreams Op. 47 for Piano Four Hands – Kevin Puts, Air for Cello and Piano – David Baker, Sonata for Clarinet and Piano – Antonín Dvorák, Quintet for Piano and Strings in A Major, Op. 81
Concert 2 – Sunday, June 12 2:30 pm
The Mae Ruth Swanson Memorial Concert – Edvard Grieg, Sonata No. 3 in C Minor for Violin and Piano, Op. 45 – Mieczyslaw Weinberg, Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 28 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Quartet for Piano and Strings in E-flat Major, K. 493
Concert 3 – Monday, June 13 7:30 pm – Jerod Tate (Chickasaw), Pisachi (Reveal) for String Quartet – Aram Khachaturian, Trio for Clarinet, Violin and Piano – Franz Schubert, Piano Trio in B-flat Major, D. 898
Concert 4 – Tuesday, June 14 7:30 pm
– Jacques Ibert, Trois pièces brèves for Wind Quintet
– Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Quintet for Piano and Winds in E-flat Major, K. 452
– Albéric Magnard, Quintet for Piano and Winds in D Minor, Op. 8
For more information about the ensemble and upcoming concerts, visit www.brightmusic.org

The Oklahoma City Adventure District (OKCAD) is excited to announce the hiring of Brittani Hunter as Executive Director. Hunter will be responsible for leading and managing the OKCAD including bolstering fundraising activities, marketing its members as well as promoting the area’s momentum and opportunities for economic development.
A Tulsa native, Hunter earned dual Bachelors of Science degrees in Sport Management and Marketing from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Business Administration with a focus of management from Southern Nazarene University. Her experience with the Oklahoma City Thunder created a passion for community engagement and as owner of Spiked. A Coffee Concept, located on NE 23rd Street, Hunter has further strengthened her business skills and local community ties. Using her entrepreneurial background, Hunter plans to work closely with the OKCAD Board to build relationships in the District and across the City to foster sustainable change in northeast Oklahoma City.
“We are excited to welcome Brittani in her new role,” said Dwight Lawson, OKC Zoo’s executive director and OKCAD Board Chair. “Brittani brings incredible experience and enthusiasm to this position. Through her leadership, we are confident she will continue to propel the District forward while building on our mission and connections with our members, visitors and the community.”
Hunter is eager to show her support as an advocate for OKCAD and is ready to promote the diverse entertainment and development opportunities in the District to visitors from Oklahoma City and the region.
Located in Northeast Oklahoma City, OKCAD is home to some of the Oklahoma’s most outstanding attractions including National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Remington Park, Science Museum Oklahoma, the Oklahoma City Zoo and USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex and Museum and more–all within a 2-mile radius. In 2000, the attractions, in cooperation with Frontier Country Marketing Association, began combining their resources to create a marketing effort promoting the area as an entertainment destination for tourists and local residents. OKCAD was recognized by the City Council of Oklahoma City as an official entertainment district in 2003. Today, more than 3.3 million people visit the District annually to experience its world-class attractions and more. To learn more about OKCAD visit www.okcadventure.com.